1 straightaway | Definition of straightaway

straightaway

adverb
straight·​away | \ ˌstrāt-ə-ˈwā How to pronounce straightaway (audio) \

Definition of straightaway

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: without hesitation or delay

straightaway

adjective
straight·​away | \ ˈstrāt-ə-ˌwā How to pronounce straightaway (audio) \

Definition of straightaway (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : proceeding in a straight line : continuous in direction
2 : immediate

straightaway

noun
straight·​away | \ ˈstrā-tə-ˌwā How to pronounce straightaway (audio) \

Definition of straightaway (Entry 3 of 3)

: a straight course: such as
a : the straight part of a closed racecourse : stretch
b : a straight and unimpeded stretch of road or way

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Examples of straightaway in a Sentence

Adverb

He found the information straightaway. he got to the hospital, and straightaway he was admitted and given intravenous fluids

Adjective

her first novel was a straightaway success the doomed ship was headed on a straightaway course in the path of the iceberg
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Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

The idea was to design algorithms that would recognize interesting phenomena encountered in the rover's surroundings during traverses and either notify the science team on Earth asking for instructions or examine those phenomena straightaway. Jacek Krywko, Ars Technica, "To make Curiosity (et al) more curious, NASA and ESA smarten up AI in space," 16 July 2018 Leaders of big corporations are confident people; they are used to making decisions quickly and implementing them straightaway. Christopher Chabris And Matthew Brown, WSJ, "Starbucks’s Troubles Can Be a Test for Anti-Bias Training: Does It Work?," 25 Apr. 2018 Why not go straightaway at China, do something specific against China rather than the entire aluminum and steel industry? Fox News, "McCarthy talks FISA investigation, House school safety bill," 11 Mar. 2018 All new players are judged, if not straightaway, then quickly. Rory Smith, New York Times, "Shoves and Shouts Mar a Winning Debut at Anfield," 5 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Hosmer lined a ball to straightaway center field that Juan Lagares overran coming in and had to reach backward while leaping to make the catch. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Padres can’t take care of first; Mets ride deGrom to series win," 25 July 2019 Trailing by five runs in the eighth inning, Lavarnway blasted a 428-foot, two-run homer to straightaway center field. Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "Catcher Ryan Lavarnway sets records in his Cincinnati Reds debut," 20 July 2019 Minnesota posted another four runs in the third with Cave knocking an RBI double and Mauer hitting a three-run homer to straightaway center field off the batter's eye. Brian Hall, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Twins hit Nathan Eovaldi hard, hold off Rays 11-8," 14 July 2018 Alfaro lined a two-run double in the fourth inning to open a 4-0 lead and crushed a solo homer to straightaway center field in the sixth. Scott Lauber, Philly.com, "Nick Pivetta picks up much-needed win in Phillies' victory over Orioles," 12 July 2018 With three on in the fifth inning, the Phillies’ Carlos Santana drove a deep fly ball to straightaway center field. Andrew Joseph, For The Win, "Giants outfielder dropped his HR-robbing catch attempt at the worst possible time," 7 May 2018 Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus connected for his 20th home run of the season Wednesday afternoon, sending a towering drive over the wall in straightaway center field in the first inning of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves. Jeff Wilson, star-telegram, "Andrus goes deep for first career 20-homer season," 6 Sep. 2017 Grandal drove a full-count fastball from Lynn over the wall in straightaway center field with two outs in the first inning. Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, "Logan Forsythe’s walk-off double gives Dodgers 2-1 win in 13 innings," 23 May 2017 Both of Bruce's homers came off Texas ace Yu Darvish, with the two drives just over the wall by the Mets slugger coming a night after he was robbed of a home run by Jared Hoying's leaping catch in straightaway center field. Stephen Hawkins, courant.com, "Bruce hits 2 homers, Mets top Rangers 4-3 on error in 9th," 8 June 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The course, which evolves from one episode to the next, includes slipping through shipping containers and mashing the gas on the occasional straightaway. Alex Davies, WIRED, "Netflix's Hyperdrive Is American Ninja Warrior for Cars," 21 Aug. 2019 Also, hopping into your car and gunning it straightaway will put unnecessary strain on your engine. Ezra Dyer, Popular Mechanics, "Should You Warm Up Your Car When It's Cold?," 21 Aug. 2019 However, Oreta held a straightaway lead and would score the victory ahead of Freethy, Burch, Evans and Chad Hammer. Antioch Speedway, The Mercury News, "Oreta a double winner at Antioch Speedway," 14 Aug. 2019 Fans will be able to watch the game from above a new batter’s eye in straightaway center field and from standing positions that ring the seating areas. Los Angeles Times, "Dodger Stadium to undergo $100-million renovation this offseason," 23 July 2019 However, Curran held about a straightaway advantage at the waving of the checkered flag. Antioch Speedway, The Mercury News, "Antioch Speedway: Maibes avoids trouble to emerge victorious," 10 July 2019 Three consecutive straightaway shots inside of the box in the 42nd minute - one from Phillip Rasmussen, another from Daniel Barrera and the third from Mads Jorgenson - went for naught. Shawn Mcfarland, courant.com, "Hartford Athletic can’t mount comeback against Bethlehem Steel FC, lose 3-0," 29 June 2019 Feeling strong after bursting into his final kick into the straightaway: Boom Goes the Dynamite! Vytas Mazeika, The Mercury News, "From worst nightmare to NCAA champion on final straightaway," 12 June 2019 The Giants threatened Vargas straightaway when Joe Panik doubled to start the game, but the next three hitters could not advance him. Henry Schulman, SFChronicle.com, "Giants fall to Mets as Tyler Beede fails to repeat solid Miami performance," 5 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'straightaway.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of straightaway

Adverb

1662, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1874, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1878, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for straightaway

straightaway

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of straightaway

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: without any delay